Thanks to the Moderation Team

[TBoneTX 45,309]

I rarely quote entire posts, but the original post deserves re-reading and additional appreciation for its elegance of expression and its dead-nuts accuracy, si man.

I am very grateful for how this board is managed and moderated. Without it, the forum would devolve into an ugly mob. It takes committment to keep a board focused on its mission. All of us as individuals have our own egos as our first priority. Anonymity results in people saying and doing things they would never do otherwise.

Occasionally I see the slights people hurl at moderators. It is such an easy thing to do. But I know what goes into every decision. All of the time spent weighing the rules. Weighing people's rights. Questioning yourself whether you are keeping your own emotions in check. No matter what decision you make, it is the wrong one in someone's eyes.

There is no salary. No awards. It is a service where nobody is counting the hours you put in: Silently, invisibly giving the most important thing you have - your time - for a cause you believe in, but one that a lot of others take far too lightly.

Thank you for your service. In my view the board is very successful in adhering to its mission because of it. Immigration can be an extremely stressful experience full of bureaucratic pitfalls and landmines. Having others to share experience with and exchange information alleviates that stress.

But because we are human and because we are anonymous our egos and emotions many times get the best of us. It makes a better person out of me to have someone there keeping my own ego in check. So even when it is me who is sanctioned, and even when I disagree with any particular decision - I can see the bigger picture. It is the common interest in immigration matters that binds us, and we cannot lose sight of that.

So... thanks.

[msd 3]

I also want to say thank you guys. Not that the first part of my journey is done I'm even more grateful for the time all of you took to answer many many questions and keep the forum well organized for the benefit of all of us! Keep up the good work!